Saturday I was fortunate enough to say good bye to my home away from home, it was bittersweet but I was also thankful to be able to be there- Ink About It’s last day open. I am thankful that I got to teach the last class in their classroom.
It’s hard to believe that 8ish years ago I contacted Linda and Lori about teaching card classes at their store. I was managing Colorful Creations, and I realized just how much I LOVED teaching. I wanted to inspire and teach more people then just on the cape.
Linda and Lori always supported me, and my class ideas- for this I am thankful. I have been very lucky over the years to have people in my life who have encouraged and supported my creative endeavors.
I often called Ink About It my home away from home because I spent so much time there. If I wasn’t at Colorful Creations odds are I was there. In between classes I would help straighten the store out of habit, or prep for more classes in their studio space. I stayed with Linda or Lori a lot so I didn’t have to drive home late at night or if I had a class 1st thing the next morning.
A gazillion classes later- I wish Linda and Lori the best in all of their new adventures!
I will always cherish all the memories created at Ink About It. Hosting their make & take at CKC convention, many many many card classes, shoebox swaps, bus tours, mini book classes, canvas classes and more!
I will never forget the time I almost filled tim holtz’s classroom. They had rearranged the store to accommodate the high numbers in Tim’s classes…. well I was teaching there just before his event. I beg, pleaded and bribed people to sign up for that class so that I could fill all the seats in HIS space 😉 heh. It was close enough to make me happy and very proud!
I am thankful for all the fabulous classes I have been able to TAKE there 🙂 With Mary Russo, Patty Euler, Dina Wakely, Tim Holtz Kelly Kilmer, and recently a Zentangle class with Wendy Brown. It isn’t often that I get to attend a class so I will miss having the opportunity to getting together with friends and having a creative day.
I am also so very thankful for all of the friendships I have formed over the years and all the support I have been given from everyone who attended my classes. Besides my girls (and guy) on the cape- at Ink About It I have had the most faitful following in my classes- and they are what drives me to keep designing classes. They have driven me to come up with creative designs and new techniques to share with them. I will miss that. I only hope that our paths will continue to cross at other events and hopefully at my loft art retreats 😉
So, although leaving Ink About It Saturday was sad- I truly believe everything happens for a reason and I am excited to see where my creative journey takes me next. I will continue to go forward (my One Little Word for this year) and embrace what comes my way, be brave and appreciate all the memories I have!
Thank you SO much Linda & Lori and all the other Ink About It peeps- for all the wicked fun times! I will see you soon 🙂
IAI was the first place I ever stamped and it was one of your A Muse classes that started it all. It is so sad to see IAI close but I am very grateful for all the wonderful friends I have now because of it.
Sorry to hear another independant store closing.
Lovely tribute Jenn! I know they were equally lucky to have you bring such inspiration into their store. Hugs!